The next phase of life after graduating from university was law school. As a fresh graduate, that journey marked my first real taste of life beyond the university walls — and it quickly became a journey of total dependency on God.

I had about six months between my final exam and the opening of applications for law school. During those months, I envisioned what law school would look like. I had always wanted Abuja Law School — the capital city felt more serene and structured than the chaotic bustle of Lagos. In fact, I ranked Enugu above Lagos. I even included Bayelsa as one of my four preferred locations, thinking, “I’ve been to Port Harcourt; I’ll be fine in the East.”

I wanted to be like Abraham — leaving the familiar behind for a distant land. The only difference? Unlike Abraham, who did not know where he was going, I had a map… or so I thought.

Then, in November, the postings came. All my friends who applied alongside me were posted to Abuja. Guess what I got? Kano.

Kano? I could not believe my eyes. A northern state? Close to Boko Haram territory? I imagined the worst. I did everything I could to change the posting. I asked my parents to pull strings, but nothing worked. I booked a late flight, still hoping for a miracle.

As I journeyed from Ibadan to Lagos to catch my flight, I met some young people at the airport and wondered if they were also posted to Kano. Unfortunately, they were only using the same flight as a second leg from Ghana. Little did I know, the Father of mercy had a plan. I later ran into a senior friend and a woman who was like an elder sister to my mum. They were both headed to Abuja. That made me cry even more. We could have been on the same flight.

Still, my posting remained unchanged. As I boarded the plane, disappointed and exhausted, I started seeing my name flash in my mind. It prompted me to pray — really pray — for the first time in this new chapter. I declared, “The Lord is with me. Emmanuel.” Thank God for His mercy. From that moment, I decided to totally depend on God. My strength had failed. My plans had crumbled. The arm of flesh had not prevailed.

Our flight did not leave Lagos until around 10 p.m., so I arrived in Kano around 11 p.m. I could not go straight to the law school — it was on the other side of the state. The strangers I met helped me arrange accommodation for the night and even got me free transport to the law school the next day.

Kano was a no-man’s land for me. I knew no one. My family knew no one. But God knew. And He had plunged me into the deep — away from distractions and into a place of deep focus. As I focused on Him, I stopped worrying about everything that consumed my mind before the flight. As I sought the Lord, He began to sort me out. My gaze shifted from material concerns to a genuine longing for a relationship with Him. I began early morning prayer walks — alone or with a prayer partner. He helped me intercede. He helped me seek. He helped me grow. I enjoyed God in Kano so much that I even stayed back for my court and chambers attachment when I could have gone elsewhere. God provided for me. He protected me. He walked with me every step of the way.

Oluwapelumi Oloke (nee Osilaran) is a lawyer based in the UK. She primarily served in the technical subgroup during her undergraduate days. She is married to a fellow Citizen, and they are blessed with two kids.

Image Credit: ourdailyverse.com

Read the second part in this series: A Call to Total Dependency